Protected in Darkness (Misplaced Halos, 1)

by Nicole Edwards

  “Why are you telling me this?” It wasn’t like Michael to offer assistance without an argument.

  “I happen to like you, Obsidian. You’ve been a fair and honest leader. I’ve got a vested interest in your happiness. But like I said, I won’t be able to assist in the future. If my father catches wind of this…”

  Yeah, Obsidian didn’t want to know what God would do if he found out Michael was interfering with the humans. It was a point of contention between them. Always had been.

  “If you want my advice,” Michael continued, “I’d put some extra protection around her. More eyes.”

  “I’ll do that.” And Obsidian knew exactly who would be perfect in the role.

  Michael held his stare for a second before vanishing in a rustle of feathers.

  With a sigh, Obsidian marched around the desk, brought his laptop to life, and sent a telepathic message to Asmia, requesting her to join him ASAP.

  The Fae appeared less than a minute later.

  “You asked to see me?”

  Obsidian peered up from his computer screen, watching as the female moved gracefully into the room, her luminous purple eyes hesitant.

  “I did.” Motioning toward the seat opposite his desk, Obsidian waited for her to sit.

  Asmia was one of the youngest Fae to become a member of the fiestreigh, and she’d been the last one to join their clandestine team. He couldn’t recall her exact age off the top of his head, but she was likely rounding the century mark. Like all Fae, as well as angels, she didn’t physically age past twenty-five, so she was as vibrant as she’d ever been with her smooth alabaster skin, the soft lines of her face.

  Obsidian still remembered the day she’d joined them, waltzing right into a team that had been growing for the past fifteen hundred years. Smart, beautiful, and full of light, Asmia had taken them all by storm, endearing herself to everyone. Her ability to befriend even the hardest of warriors was a benefit, and it had come in handy a time or two over the years.

  Once she took a seat, he relaxed in his chair, smiled, wanting to put her at ease. “I have an assignment for you.”

  The female looked as though she’d been called to the principal’s office and feared the reprimand for whatever transgression she’d been caught doing. He found it amusing because he’d never been the sort to inspire terror in those who worked for him.

  “Asmia?”

  “I’m sorry. I’m just a little”—she seemed to shake it off, added a smile that was most definitely forced—“nervous.”

  Before he could launch into the details of the assignment, Taayin sauntered in, his gaze zeroing in on the female instantly.

  “Where’s my invitation to the party?” the male quipped, though there was no humor in his tone.

  “Can I help you?” Obsidian asked, not out of courtesy, more from irritation.

  Taayin’s gaze remained on Asmia as he leaned on the credenza to Obsidian’s left, crossed his arms over his lean, muscular chest. “What’s going on?”

  Obsidian smirked, turning his chair in Taayin’s direction. “Although you believe I should, I’m not required to clue you in to all my decisions.”

  Irritated blue eyes shot to his face. “In case I need to remind you, I’m your lieterra. Therefore, I should be in the know.”

  Each warrior had a designated lieterra, an angel tasked with tracking, doling out responsibilities, and handling other menial tasks they often bitched about. Though they took orders from Obsidian and his brothers, they often believed they were due far more than the warriors thought they were. Sure, as a right-hand, or assistant, they dealt with a wealth of shit that gratefully he didn’t have to be bothered with, but that didn’t change the fact that the lieterra were inclined to do so by the roles they’d been assigned.

  “And might I remind you,” he told Taayin, “Heaven’s gates are always open.”

  The implied threat that Obsidian could send him back at any time hung heavily between them.

  Taayin huffed and Obsidian could tell he was fighting the urge to argue. Not surprising considering that was his most prominent trait.

  Only because he felt sorry for the poor sap did Obsidian halt his efforts to piss Taayin off the way he did him. Instead, he turned his attention back to Asmia, who was still watching him carefully.

  “I need an extra set of eyes on Penelope. Mostly when she’s at work. I’m assigning you the role of temporary ritarro to my amsouelot. Effective immediately.”

  Her eyes widened, mouth falling open.

  Taking on a role as a ritarro, even temporarily, was one of the highest honors among the Fae. It was the equivalent of a lieterra, but on a more personal level.

  “It would be my honor,” she said softly, bowing her head briefly before meeting his gaze once more. “Please forgive my ignorance, but I’m not sure exactly how I go about such a task since Penelope is not living with us.”

  “For now,” Obsidian explained, “I want you to focus on watching over her, keeping me apprised of anything that seems off.”

  “What about Stig?” Taayin asked.

  “He’s still her guardian, but he’s overloaded. I need someone closer, someone who’ll clue me in immediately if there’s an issue.”

  Asmia glanced at Taayin, then back to Obsidian. “Did something happen?”

  He relayed the information he’d received from Penelope regarding the incident in the parking lot. Both Taayin and Asmia were watching him intently.

  “Michael acted on Stig’s behalf?” Taayin asked.

  “It would seem that way.” Obsidian looked at Asmia. “I want you to be present while Penelope’s at work. Keep an eye on her. And in the event I’m not with her, I want you to follow her home, ensure her safe arrival. I’m not sure what Perfidious is up to, but I’m not willing to risk her life because the demon wants to play games.”

  “Should I introduce myself to Penelope?” Asmia asked.

  “Not at this time, no. There’s no need.”

  “It would be helpful if I had all the information you have on her,” Asmia said, squaring her shoulders, as though preparing to take the weight of the world on them.

  An iPad appeared on the desk, conjured out of thin air by none other than one irritating lieterra who prided himself on always being one step ahead. On the screen, an image of Penelope.

  Asmia picked it up, skimmed the details on the screen. Her quick perusal would enlighten her to the fact Penelope Jane Calazans was twenty-eight, born to Michael and Marisol Calazans on February 2, 1991. She had one sibling, a twin brother named Oliver. Her education background was lengthy, but her employment history was relatively short. It reflected a couple of odd jobs prior to her being employed at Caesar’s Palace Casino as a cocktail waitress for the past five and a half months, earning a shitty hourly wage, though tips tended to make up some of the difference. Her medical history reflected a clean bill of health. Birth control was the only medication she took routinely, and according to the details, it was due to the irregularity of her menstrual cycle. The last time she’d visited the doctor had been for her yearly physical and the last illness she’d been treated for was bronchitis, diagnosed eighteen months prior.

  “She has a brother,” Asmia noted.

  “She does,” he confirmed. “Though he’s not in the picture.”

  Asmia’s eyes widened. “Did he die?”

  “Not yet,” he muttered, then offered up the details he had on Seraphina.

  “Someone needs to protect him,” Taayin insisted.

  Though he agreed, Obsidian’s one and only priority was Penelope. It wasn’t that he didn’t care what happened to her brother, but he was programmed to put his amsouelot above all others, including himself.

  “Reidar has Gryffyth keeping an eye out, but find Oliver’s GA,” he ordered Taayin. “Check in with him. See if he’s got any information.”

  “It’s not Stig?”

  Being that they were twins, Obsidian understood why Taayin would’ve assumed as much.
“No. Changing of the guard a few years ago.”

  “What did he do?” Taayin asked, knowing there was only one reason a human’s guardian angel would change during their lifetime.

  “He’s been headed down a dark road. Addiction. Gambling and alcohol.”

  “Shame.”

  “Just get what info you can,” he told the lieterra.

  Taayin nodded, clearly understanding his intentions were not to interfere with the male unless Penelope specifically asked Obsidian to.

  “Does she have any close friends?” Asmia’s eyes lifted. “Ones I should be aware of?”

  Taayin answered with, “She has a few acquaintances from work whom she spends very little time with. Her closest friend is one who lives in California. A Winifred Drego, a.k.a. Winnie. They speak often but haven’t seen one another since she moved here.”

  “So she’s a loner,” Asmia surmised.

  “Very much so,” Taayin stated.

  “Like I said, I expect you to look out for her,” Obsidian explained. “If at any time you feel she’s in direct danger, I want to know. Provided all goes well, I’ll look to you as her ritarro once we’re back at the compound. Should you happen to interact with her, she’s to be treated with the utmost respect, regarded with the highest authority.”

  Taayin began his spiel regarding responsibilities of a ritarro. As they conversed about the details, Obsidian observed the pair. In recent months, it’d been brought to his attention that they had grown closer, developed a relationship, one might say. While there were no rules restricting them from pursuing one another, they were both cognizant that their souls were not destined to be together. He suspected they wished that weren’t the case.

  Obsidian couldn’t deny that their relationship had worked in his favor when it came to selecting Asmia for this assignment. Because she cared for the male, but her loyalty was not tied to Taayin’s well-being, Obsidian knew he could trust her to keep her focus. And because Asmia was important to Taayin, he would ensure she succeeded, which meant they would work doubly hard to ensure his amsouelot’s safety.

  “I’m honored to’ve been selected for this role,” Asmia said, drawing him from his thoughts.

  Leaning back in his chair, Obsidian regarded her. “At no point should you take this lightly, Asmia.”

  Her perfectly plucked brows lowered. “Of course not. I’ll dedicate my life to her health and happiness.”

  Obsidian considered her for a moment. It would’ve been easy to dismiss her, to allow her to walk out, prepare for the role. The female would do the job as she understood it, protecting Penelope as best she could. He trusted her. Otherwise she would not be sitting here.

  However, he felt it necessary to ensure she understood his expectations.

  “While Penelope’s not aware of her status as my amsouelot,” Obsidian explained, “that doesn’t change the fact. She is my utmost priority, above all else. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

  Asmia swallowed hard, nodded.

  His voice dropped an octave. “Without her, Asmia, I would cease to have reason to live. And since I’m doomed to exist for eternity, her absence would ultimately endanger every living, breathing species on the face of the planet.”

  He paused, his eyes glowing brighter as emotion churned within him. The mere thought of something happening to Penelope had rage slicing through his gut.

  “Should something happen to her, I will not hesitate to destroy everything in my path as repercussion to losing the only reason I have for being. Penelope Calazans is my heart and soul. Without her, we shall all cease to exist. I will make it so.”

  And that was not him being dramatic. It was simply fact.

  “WHY DID HE SELECT ME FOR THIS?” Asmia asked Taayin once they’d approached the main hall after leaving Obsidian’s office.

  “Because you’re the most qualified.”

  She choked on a brittle laugh. “Why in Heaven’s name would you think that? Everyone here is older than I. Far more versed in the hierarchy.”

  As with all living beings, especially the Fae, knowledge was acquired with age. And while Asmia was just past the century mark, she was a newborn compared to the others in Obsidian’s fiestreigh, the group tasked with supporting the warrior angels. All had far more powerful abilities, could ensure Obsidian’s amsouelot’s safety with minimal effort.

  Taayin paused, turned to face her. His eyes were warm with affection, and Asmia felt the intensity deep in her soul. This male… She’d come to care for him greatly, which was both a blessing and a curse.

  “You have nothing to fear, love,” he whispered. “I trust you. As does Obsidian. For now, keeping Penelope safe is the priority. However, befriending her is equally important.” He smiled, his blue eyes glittering. “You’re most qualified in that department.”

  He twined a lock of her hair around his finger, tugged her toward him.

  Asmia moved without hesitation, leaning in and accepting the warmth of his lips upon her own. As was the case whenever they were near, passion ignited. She still found it difficult to believe he was not her amsouelot. Asmia could not imagine wanting someone more than she wanted Taayin.

  Granted, she was appreciative in many ways that he was not her soul’s other half. Along with the tremendous pleasure enjoyed between two who had been mated by the Fates, an equally devastating pain was associated when they were apart. The only reason Obsidian had not been subjected to this was due to the fact his relationship with Penelope was in its early stages. Once they consummated the relationship and until their lintamair, any separation they endured would give the same impression of mourning a part of oneself.

  Asmia didn’t wish that upon anyone. Least of all Taayin.

  “Tonight, I’ll take you to the casino, show you around,” he told her. “I won’t be able to stay for long. Now that we’ve located Penelope, my responsibilities have expanded. With the demons hot on her trail, I have to maintain my focus.”

  Asmia understood that much. There was no doubt in her mind Obsidian would leave a wide trail of death and destruction in his wake should something happen to his amsouelot, and it was their responsibility to support him.

  “I will not fail either of them,” she assured Taayin. “Although I shall miss you terribly.”

  His smile was sad. “We’ve always got the daylight hours.”

  That they did. But she was hoping they’d be spending those together back in Colorado. Truth was, she missed home, missed Zeus and Aphrodite. And the heurosp. Vegas was so different from what she was used to, and Asmia was eager to get back to the mansion.

  “Do you think Perfidious will make his move soon?” she asked.

  Taayin pulled back, stared into her eyes. “Hard to tell. Perfidious likes to play games. Always has. Since both sides are playing for her soul, it’s possible he’ll drag it out.”

  “Or catch us off guard,” she acknowledged.

  When an angel became ensnared by their amsouelot, they lost their overall focus. And without the others around to watch his back, both Obsidian and Penelope were at risk. Not only were they up against Perfidious, who was out to get Penelope, there were other demons who would love to get their slimy paws on Obsidian.

  “Fear not, love,” Taayin said softly. “Focus on Penelope.”

  Asmia nodded in agreement, forcing thoughts of world destruction from her mind.

  The gleam in Taayin’s eyes told her his thoughts had already ventured down a different road entirely. Somewhere with salacious intent.

  “You’re thinking about taking me right here, aren’t you?” she whispered, stepping in closer.

  “It had crossed my mind.”

  “Well…” Asmia didn’t bother to look around, not caring who might be lingering. When it came to sex, she wasn’t shy. “What are you waiting for?”

  THIS FEMALE TAUNTED TAAYIN IN EVERY WAY.

  Asmia was quite possibly the most stunning fairy to have ever graced Heaven or Earth. Not only physically, thoug
h it was near impossible to deny she was otherworldly with her waist-length blond hair, the stunning amethyst eyes notorious to Fae, those cupid’s bow lips, and a body to fucking die for.

  No doubt about it, Asmia had wrapped Taayin around her little finger the very day she stepped into his world. The fact that she wasn’t shy, spoke her mind freely, and sought the natural pleasures most of them forgot existed was only a bonus.

  Taayin found himself wanting her with a desperation that wasn’t normal.

  Without regard for consequence, Taayin pushed Asmia up against the wall, crushed his lips to hers. Didn’t matter that she’d slept in his bed through the day, he still wanted her again. His cock ached with the need to feel her wrapped around him, to be buried to the hilt in her sweet, welcoming heat.

  Asmia’s soft moans were a direct contradiction to the way her fingers ripped at his clothing. She was as desperate for physical contact as he was, the need overwhelming.

  Answering her aggressive movements, Taayin tore at her blouse, her bra, freeing her breasts from the constraints before gripping them firmly, kneading her soft flesh as her tongue mated with his. In his eight hundred years of existence, he’d never met another female who could inflict such a painful desire within him. Back when things first got physical between them, nearly a year and a half ago, he’d thought she was his amsouelot, caught completely off guard by the emotions she churned within.

  Unfortunately, he’d learned after their first parting that she wasn’t his to have and hold for all of eternity. However, she was his for this moment in time, and he chose to be content with that, looked forward to the time he did have with her.

  When she freed his cock from his slacks, her hands slowed, wrapping firmly around him, caressing his throbbing shaft.

  Taayin released her mouth, his head falling back as undiluted pleasure consumed every cell. Pumping his hips, he drove into her soft hand, sought the release she could so easily draw out of him. When his own pleasure became too much his focus, Taayin stepped back, dislodging his aching erection from her grip.